PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. - The Creighton baseball team dropped its first game as a member of the BIG EAST conference, falling at Villanova 6-3 on Thursday, April 17.

The loss dropped the Bluejays to 18-12-1 on the season and 3-1 in BIG EAST action, while Villanova moved to 11-22 overall and 3-4 in conference play.

Down 2-0 entering the top of the third as Villanova plated single runs in each of the first two innings, the Bluejay offense got going as junior Landon Lucansky opened the third with a double to left. Ryan Fitzgerald moved Lucansky to third via a sacrifice bunt, then junior Kevin Lamb drove in Creighton's first run on an RBI grounder to second.

The Bluejays were far from done in the third. Senior Brad McKewon lifted a two-out single to left, then freshman Nicky Lopez followed with a soft single through the right side. McKewon took third on Lopez single and the throw allowed Lopez to move into scoring position as well at second. Junior Jake Peter took advantage with his lone hit of the day, smacking a two-run single to center to give Creighton a 3-2 edge.

Villanova, however, answered with a run in the bottom of the third to chase Bluejay starter, Taylor Elman. The Wildcats snagged a one-run lead with a tally in the sixth and put up two more insurance runs in the eighth.

Creighton reliever Will Bamesberger suffered the loss (2-1), allowing a run on a walk and a hit batter in the sixth. Villanova starter Josh Harris earned the win (3-5), allowing three runs on six hits in eight innings. Wildcat closer Matt Meurer recorded his fifth save of the season, allowing only one hit in the ninth.

Creighton and Villanova will continue the three-game series on Friday, April 18 at 2:30 (CT).